Ep99: Overthinking Your Writing

Writer Craft Podcast

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 99 of the podcast and it's January 11, 2023 as we record this.

Main Topic: Overthinking Your Writing

PATREON:

No new patrons this week. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.

This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you on air. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Comments: Your discussion inspired me. I ordered Wisdom of the Oracle cards by Colette Baron-Reid. I had one of her decks years ago. The illustrator's artwork is phenomenal!Announcements:

**I have a female writer looking for another female-identifying writer to share lodging at the retreat. The Shared Retreat Ticket price is $650 and includes all the food, lodging, instruction, retreat, and coaching. Please reach out to me at [e-mail] to ask any questions or to get the PayPal link for the Shared Retreat Ticket.

• 1) Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. “We’ll be touching on book structure, story hypothesis, plotting that doesn’t hurt, author action plans, and more.” Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Alumni and patron price is $775.

• Early Bird price available from November - January. $800
• Monthly payments are an option. Send me a message [e-mail] for a unique PayPal link, or go to the shopping page on my website to purchase at full price.

• 2) We want to celebrate our 100th episode with you. Please send in an audio clip via email to [e-mail] with a comment or testimonial about the podcast. What you like about it, why you listen, etc. On the 100th episode on January 18th, we'll play the clips on air. Please send in your audio clips by January 11th at the latest.
• 3) We need topic suggestions. Please send to [e-mail].
• UPDATE:
• Went for a personal essay instead of a short story. Wow. What a difference!

Just finished: Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore

I'M READING: London Seance Society by Sara Penner (ARC); Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton.

Up Next: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus or The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce.

• Erick's Reading:

The Farthest Shore Ursula LeGuin

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

Heroic Hearts

Show Notes:

You need a way in for a short story. (Erick)

Sometimes inspiration comes quickly and worker bee mentality pushes you past the goal (I've got to fill the time). Be okay with other forms of creativity besides words on the page. Filling the creative well, walking, reading

Concern: editing out voice. (Valerie)

Resources:

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice.

Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book.

Other Resources:

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

Valerie's new day book for the year 2023 is: Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates.

The Author Life Community

Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIEO866

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Find Us:

Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan